Charles Carson

Charles E. Carson, of Fergus Falls, died Wednesday, October 13, 2010, at Lake Region Hospital in Fergus Falls.  He was born January 17, 1935, in Emerson, Iowa to Lester M. and Marjorie A. (Briggs) Carson. Carson attended schools in McCook, Nebraska and Emerson, Iowa, graduating in 1952. He also graduated from the University of Nebraska and Iowa State University receiving a Ph.D. in Geology and Philosophy of Science and Mathematics from Iowa State in 1961. Carson worked as a geologist for Phillips Petroleum Company and as a research scientist for the Office of Naval Research in artic Alaska. He also taught geology at Iowa State, UMD, and Wisconsin State, authored several scientific papers and received a number of honors and awards. Later, he served as Deputy Director of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. After injury in an aircraft accident in 1976 Carson founded the Spinal Cord Society and served as its first President. This organization produced some notable advances in paralysis research for which it received special notice in President Reagan’s 1984 State of the Union address. He is survived by his sister, Beverly (Thomas) Malone of Santa Rosa, California, two nieces and a nephew, as well as SCS staff and close friends Jean and Mark Rustand, Judy Zenner, Angie Polejewski, Margaret Fredrickson, Eric Holmberg and Dick Stonestrom. Memorials may be made to the Spinal Cord Society (19051 County Hwy. 1, Fergus Falls, MN 56537) in his honor. There will be no services. Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls is in charge of arrangements.